LIVE | R-Day: Grand parade showcases military firepower, cultural diversity
While 75 years of the enactment of the Constitution was the focus of celebrations this year, the theme for the tableaux was “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas”
India as a sovereign democratic republic completed 75 years of its eventful journey on Sunday, with the country showcasing its military prowess and rich cultural heritage at the ceremonial parade at the Kartavya Path in Delhi.
Besides VVIP dignitaries, members of the Paralympic contingent, sarpanches from top-performing villages, handloom artisans and forest and wildlife conservation workers were among the nearly 10,000 special guests who had been invited to witness the 76th Republic Day Parade.
President Droupadi Murmu led the nation in celebrating the momentous occasion, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest. A marching contingent and a band contingent from Indonesia participated in the parade.
Subianto was the fourth Indonesian president to attend India's Republic Day celebrations. Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, was the chief guest at India's first Republic Day celebrations in 1950.
While 75 years of the enactment of the Constitution was the focus of celebrations this year, the theme for the tableaux was “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas”.
Sixteen tableaux from across states and Union Territories and 15 from central ministries, departments and organisations rolled down the ceremonial boulevard during the annual parade as India displayed its military prowess and its journey as a republic.
The country showcased some of its cutting-edge defence platforms including BrahMos, Pinaka and Akash, with the Army's Battle Surveillance System 'Sanjay' and DRDO's surface-to-surface tactical missile 'Pralay' registering their presence in the ceremonial parade for the first time.
T-90 “Bhishma” tanks Sarath (infantry carrying vehicle BMP-II), Short Span Bridging System 10m, Nag Missile System, multi-barrel rocket launcher system 'Agnibaan' and 'Bajrang' (light specialist vehicle) were also part of the parade, according to officials.
The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950.
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- 26 Jan 2025 5:04 AM GMT
President Murmu, Indonesian Prez arrive in traditional buggy
President Droupadi Murmu and her Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto arrived at Kartavya Path for the 76th Republic Day parade in a traditional buggy, a practice that made a comeback after a 40-year gap last year.They were escorted by the President's Bodyguard -- "Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak". The President's Bodyguard is the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army.The gold-plated, horse-drawn buggy is a black carriage with the national emblem embossed on it in gold. The buggy, drawn by a mixed breed of Indian and Austrian horses, also features gold-plated rims.Presidential buggyThe presidential buggy had been used for Republic Day functions till 1984 but was discontinued after the assassination of the then-prime minister Indira Gandhi.The buggy was last used by Giani Zail Singh in 1984 before being discontinued due to security reasons. The presidents then began using limousines for travel.In 2014, then-president Pranab Mukherjee used it again for the beating retreat ceremony.His successor Ram Nath Kovind continued the tradition. He inspected the Guard of Honour in the presidential buggy after taking oath in 2017.During the British era, the buggy belonged to the viceroy of India. After India's independence in 1947, a row erupted between India and Pakistan regarding claims over the carriage.With no immediate solution and higher authority to decide on the row, India's then-Lt Colonel Thakur Govind Singh and the Pakistan Army's Sahabzada Yaqub Khan took full responsibility for the fact that ownership of the buggy would depend on a coin toss.India is believed to have won the toss and the buggy has been with the country since then. The carriage has been used by several presidents on various occasions - 26 Jan 2025 4:53 AM GMT
UP CM Adityanath greets people on R-Day
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday congratulated the people of the state on the 76th Republic Day and appealed to everyone to resolve to follow duties listed in the Constitution.
Chief Minister Adityanath, in a post on the X, said, "Hearty congratulations and best wishes to the people of the state on the 76th Republic Day!" He said, "This glorious festival is an opportunity to express gratitude to our great Constitution, democratic traditions and the immortal sons of the country." "Let us all resolve to follow the duties given by the Constitution. Jai Hind!" he said.
